The spotlight finally sits comfortably on Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic – and just as well.

The former world No.1 looks set to come under close scrutiny ahead of the Australian Open judging by her Brisbane International run.

Second seed Ivanovic dug deep to finally overcome feisty American Varvara Lepchenko 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 in their rollercoaster semi-final at Pat Rafter Arena on Friday.

The world No.7 booked a potential Saturday night final showdown with top seed Maria Sharapova, ensuring all eyes will be on her – a position she once dreaded.

However, Ivanovic has credited a new found life balance for helping her finally deal with the constant limelight as a tennis superstar.

“I struggled to be in the spotlight,” said Ivanovic who stormed the world stage by winning the 2008 French Open title.

“For me, this is something that took time to get used to because I was very shy.

“It was really overwhelming for me – I had always played tennis as a game, not for all these pressures and expectations.”

Ivanovic said the last 18 months had been dedicated to finally having fun off the court.

“This is something that I was lacking in the past, because coaches really tried to control,” she said.

“I felt like I had no time to go to movies with friends, you know, and this is what every person needs.

“So I really feel since maybe the last year and a half I found this balance.”

Results back her call: in 2014 she finished the year in the top five for the first time since 2008.

Ivanovic began the year claiming the Auckland title – her first tournament triumph in three years – before notching four overall in 2014, her biggest annual haul.

However, Ivanovic’s new found calm was tested on Friday by comeback queen Lepchenko.

The world No.34 was initially on the back foot after twice serving for the opening set, only to be overrun by Ivanovic.

However, Lepchenko launched a counterattack that sparked flashbacks of her shock Brisbane first-round win over Sam Stosur, where she somehow overcame a 5-1 third set deficit.

Ivanovic led 5-1 in the second before Lepchenko hit back to save six match points.

In the end, Ivanovic converted her seventh to overpower the American in two hours.

Ivanovic claimed she had now experienced “everything” she needed for an Australian Open preparation.

But another major box could be ticked in the final.

She trails 9-4 head-to-head with Sharapova, but won two of her last three clashes with the Russian.

Ivanovic admitted her 2008 Australian Open final loss to Sharapova still stung but made her stronger.

“I enjoy playing against top players and having these kind of battles, because that’s what you want to test yourself against,” she said of world No.2 Sharapova.